Cricket
Tamim Iqbal's International Cricket Career Overview: Records and Achievements
In the exciting world of cricket, where amazing players become heroes and their incredible achievements become sports history, there are only a few special individuals who go beyond just playing the game and manage to touch the hearts of millions. Tamim Iqbal, a talented batsman from Bangladesh, is one such extraordinary person. He has created unforgettable moments on the cricket field and has become a source of inspiration for an entire nation. In his 16-year career, Tamim has more than 15,000 runs, along with some incredible records for Bangladesh.
Yesterday (July 6, 2023) Tamim Iqbal announced the end of his career for the Bangladesh cricket team. Opinions among fans are divided regarding Tamim's retirement announcement. Some fans consider it a "timely decision", while others believe it is an "irreparable" loss for Bangladeshi cricket, especially with the World Cup approaching. Records say, the Bangladesh cricket team will certainly miss Tamim Iqbal.
Tamim’s achievements as a cricketer are noteworthy. He is the highest scorer for Bangladesh across all three formats. He said goodbye to international cricket after scoring more than 15,000 runs in three formats. Tamim has the highest, 25, centuries in all three formats for Bangladesh. Tamim’s 14 centuries in ODIs are the highest century record in ODIs by any Bangladeshi player.
Read more: Litton Das replaces Tamim as Bangladesh's ODI captain
In 2011, Tamim became one of the four cricketers of the year by the Wisden Almanack, which is known as the "Bible of Cricket". In the same year, the left-hander was selected as the second Bangladeshi to be named Wisden’s Test Cricketer of the Year. Tamim scored 295 runs in the 2016 T20 World Cup and became the highest run scorer of the tournament.
Tamim Iqbal delivered incredible performances both on Bangladeshi soil and outside the country. His average is 37 at home and 35 away, with seven centuries at both places.
Preview of BAN vs AFG 1st ODI 2023
On Wednesday, July 5, Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram will witness the clash between Bangladesh and Afghanistan as they start their three-match ODI series. In their recent limited-overs series, the two teams experienced contrasting results. Afghanistan faced a 1-2 defeat against Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh comfortably achieved a 2-0 victory against Ireland on their home ground. However, both teams will surely try to win the series. Here’s what to expect from BAN vs AFG 1st ODI.
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Series 2023: 1st ODI Preview
Tamim Iqbal, who has been absent from cricket due to recent injuries, will lead the Bangladesh team. Unfortunately, his batting form has been less than impressive. However, the Tigers have received a boost with the return of Shakib Al Hasan, who missed the last Test due to a finger injury.
With a positive momentum, Bangladesh is set to enter the upcoming series against Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Bangladesh acknowledges the immense talent and versatility of Afghanistan's squad and will not underestimate their opponents. Historically, the pitch at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium has provided an advantage for spinners, often being slow in nature.
The return of Shakib and Rashid Khan will surely help both teams to give a tough fight. Rashid, the leg-spinner, has returned to white-ball cricket, and so is the tone of confidence in the Afghan team. Rashid was injured before the series against Sri Lanka last month. That is why he could not play the first two ODIs. The Afghanistan team management did not want to take the risk of playing him in the Mirpur Test after a few days, even though he returned for the last match.
Read more: Tamim determined to play despite fitness concerns in Afghanistan Series Opener
On the Afghan side, Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the team. Spinner Izharulhaq Naveed has received his maiden ODI call-up, although it is unlikely that he will make an appearance in the first ODI. Alongside Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ibrahim Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi are anticipated to play crucial roles for the Afghanistan team. Ibrahim Zadran showcased an outstanding performance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Fazalhaq Farooqi, the left-arm pacer, has been causing difficulties for the Bangladesh batters, making him a crucial factor in the upcoming matches.
For Bangladesh, Afif Hossain Dhrubo has made a comeback to the national team and is eager to make a strong performance. Meanwhile, Najmul Hossain Shanto has successfully turned his career around in the past 12 months and was also a strong contender for the Player of the Month award.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz has shown remarkable growth as an all-rounder, and much will rely on his performance. The attention will also be on Bangladesh’s pace bowling attack, which has been exceptional in recent times.
Shakib Al Hasan, who was unable to participate in the one-off Test due to a finger injury, has now recovered and is ready to play in the ODI series. Mushfiqur Rahim will take up the role of the team’s permanent wicketkeeper.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Head-to Head ODI Records So Far: Who is the Favourite?
Probable XI for Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal (c), Najmul Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Towhid Hirdoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hossain.
Probable XI for Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi ©, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Zia ur Rehman.
Key Players od BAN vs AFG 1st ODI Match 2023
Taskin Ahmed (Bangladesh)
Taskin Ahmed has successfully recovered from an injury and is ready to join the team again. He was selected for the Bangladesh Test team to play a single match against Afghanistan. Taskin showed his skills by taking four wickets in the second innings of the match.
As a result, he is expected to be the strongest and most intimidating bowler for Bangladesh. In his ODI career, Taskin has taken 78 wickets in the 57 matches he has played. Recently, he had a great performance in the last three ODIs, where he took a total of five wickets.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh ODI Squad Analysis
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Rashid Khan, who last played in an ODI series in November of the previous year, is now entering the upcoming series after a successful performance in the IPL. Although he took a break during the Sri Lanka ODI series and the one-off Test series, it is expected that he will continue his outstanding form and make a big impact.
Rashid’s performance against Bangladesh was brilliant. He has got 15 wickets in 9 matches so far in ODIs. Runs per over are just 3.85 runs! He made a big contribution with 3 wickets for 37 runs in Afghanistan’s only win in the series between these two teams last year.
As a 24-year-old spinner, Rashid always impresses with both his bowling and batting skills. In his career, he has played 87 ODI matches for Afghanistan and taken 163 wickets. In the last three ODIs alone, Rashid managed to take a total of eight wickets.
Who is the Favourite to Win?
In one-day internationals, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have faced each other 11 times. Bangladesh won seven of these matches, with four victories on their home ground and three on neutral venues. On the other hand, Afghanistan have won four matches against Bangladesh, with none of the wins being at home, and three were on away venues.
Read more: Najmul Hossain Shanto: A Rising Star in Bangladeshi Cricket
So, considering the previous record, Bangladesh have a great chance to win. Tigers have proven to be a difficult team to defeat in their home conditions. As a result, they will enter the match as favourites, although the Afghan team should not be underestimated and will likely put up a strong fight. In the first match, Afghanistan appear to have an advantage over Bangladesh due to their strong spinning department. Despite Bangladesh having more victories against Afghanistan in the past, the upcoming battle promises to be an exciting one.
Final Words
The BAN vs AFG ODI series is the continuation of the only test match played between these two teams last month. Bangladesh secured an emphatic victory over Afghanistan, winning by a massive margin of 546 runs at their home ground in Mirpur. Now is the time to see if Afghans can come back in BAN vs AFG 1st ODI.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Tamim determined to play despite fitness concerns in Afghanistan Series Opener
Bangladesh's ODI captain, Tamim Iqbal, has stated that although he is not 100 percent fit, he intends to participate in the first match of the three-match series against Afghanistan, commencing on Wednesday (July 05, 2023) in Chattogram.
The Bangladesh team had a practice session on Tuesday (July 04, 2023) morning, during which Tamim attended but refrained from batting or fielding.
ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
"I'm not a 100 percent fit, but I've decided to play tomorrow," Tamim shared during the pre-series press conference on Tuesday in Chattogram. "I'm feeling better now," he added.
Tamim, however, mentioned that he will make the final decision regarding his participation in the next match after consulting with the medical team regarding his fitness.
"The team's well-being takes precedence," he affirmed. "I won't make any decision that could trouble the team. But I believe I'm fit to play tomorrow's match."
Every match is a tough match in the World Cup: Tamim Iqbal
While the first match of the series is scheduled for tomorrow, the remaining matches will be held on July 8 and 11 at the same venue. All matches are day-night affairs and will start at 2 pm each day.
Afghanistan recently played a one-off Test in June, and they have returned now to compete in a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series in Chattogram and Sylhet, respectively.
ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
The ICC Men's ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 in India has unveiled its fixtures, along with the ten designated venues for the highly anticipated tournament. On October 5, the Cricket World Cup will begin with an exciting clash between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India, the proud hosts of the tournament, will begin their campaign on October 8 in Chennai, where they face the mighty Australia, a team that has clinched the World Cup title five times in the past.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Schedule and Fixtures
Table: Schedule and Fixtures of ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup 2023
Date
Time (BD)
Matches
Venues
5 October 2023
2:30 PM
England vs New Zealand
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
6 October 2023
2:30 PM
Pakistan vs Netherlands
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
7 October 2023
11:00 AM
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
7 October 2023
2:30 PM
South Africa vs Sri Lanka
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
8 October 2023
2:30 PM
Australia vs India
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
9 October 2023
2:30 PM
New Zealand vs Netherlands
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
10 October 2023
11 AM
Bangladesh vs England
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
10 October 2023
2:30 PM
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
Hyderabad
11 October 2023
2:30 PM
Afghanistan vs India
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
12 October 2023
2:30 PM
Australia vs South Africa
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
13 October 2023
11:00 AM
Bangladesh vs New Zealand
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
14 October 2023
2:30 PM
India vs Pakistan
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
15 October 2023
2:30 PM
Afghanistan vs England
Delhi
16 October 2023
2:30 PM
Australia vs Sri Lanka
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
17 October 2023
2:30 PM
South Africa vs Netherlands
HPCA Stadium, Dharmashala
18 October 2023
2:30 PM
Afghanistan vs New Zealand
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
19 October 2023
2:30 PM
Bangladesh vs India
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
20 October 2023
2:30 PM
Australia vs Pakistan
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
21 October 2023
11:00 AM
Sri Lanka vs Netherlands
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
21 October 2023
2:30 PM
England vs South Africa
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
22 October 2023
2:30 PM
India vs New Zealand
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
23 October 2023
2:30 PM
Afghanistan vs Pakistan
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
24 October 2023
2:30 PM
Bangladesh vs South Africa
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
25 October 2023
2:30 PM
Australia vs Netherlands
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
26 October 2023
2:30 PM
England vs Sri Lanka
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
27 October 2023
2:30 PM
Pakistan vs South Africa
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
28 October 2023
11:00 AM
Australia vs New Zealand
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
28 October 2023
2:30 PM
Bangladesh vs Netherlands
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
29 October 2023
2:30 PM
England vs India
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
30 October 2023
2:30 PM
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
31 October 2023
2:30 PM
Bangladesh vs Pakistan
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
1 November 2023
2:30 PM
New Zealand vs South Africa
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
2 November 2023
2:30 PM
India vs Sri Lanka
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
3 November 2023
2:30 PM
Afghanistan v Netherlands
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
4 November 2023
11:00 AM
New Zealand vs Pakistan
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
4 November 2023
2:30 PM
Australia vs England
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
5 November 2023
2:30 PM
India vs South Africa
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
6 November 2023
2:30 PM
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
7 November 2023
2:30 PM
Australia vs Afghanistan
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
8 November 2023
2:30 PM
England vs Netherlands
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
9 November 2023
2:30 PM
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
10 November 2023
2:30 PM
Afghanistan vs South Africa
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
11 November 2023
11:00 AM
Australia vs Bangladesh
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
11 November 2023
2:30 PM
England vs Pakistan
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
12 November 2023
2:30 PM
India vs Netherlands
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
15 November 2023
2:30 PM
1st Placed Team vs 4th Placed Team
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
16 November 2023
2:30 PM
2nd Placed Team vs 3rd Placed Team
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
19 November 2023
2:30 PM
Winner of Semi-final 1 vs Winner of Semi-final 2
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Read more: Every match is a tough match in the World Cup: Tamim Iqbal
Najmul Hossain Shanto: A Rising Star in Bangladeshi Cricket
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s impressive performance in the ODI format has further pushed his rise in the past month. The 24-year-old cricketer continued his excellent form, particularly against Ireland, which led to his nomination for the ICC’s Player of the Month for May. Scoring a century in the recent Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test match 2023, Shanto continued his superb performance.
Though the player experienced some difficult times in his cricket career, recently he has become a consistent batter for the Bangladesh squad and helped the Tigers clinch win in several matches. Shanto acquired the Man of the Match award in the 2023 BAN vs AFG Test match.
Career Highlights of Najmul Hossain Shanto
Najmul Hossain Shanto has been playing tests since 2017, and so far, he has played 23 Test matches. In these 23 matches, he scored 1283 runs, with 163 being his highest score. With 4 centuries and 7 fifties, Shanto has been very consistent in recent test matches. Shanto’s best performance came against Sri Lanka in 2021. He did exceptionally well and scored 163 runs in just one inning, which is his best performance in test matches up to now.
Read more: Key Performers in BAN vs AFG Test 2023
Table: Najmul Hossain Shanto’s career as of June 20, 2023.
Format
Match
Total Runs
Highest Score
Average
100s
50s
Test
23
1283
163
29.83
4
3
ODI
24
615
117
26.73
1
3
T20I
23
548
71
28.84
0
3
Source: ESPN
In addition to Test, recently Shanto has displayed an impressive performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs) too. Overall, in 24 matches, he has accumulated a total score of 615 runs, with a highest score of 117. His average stands at 26.73 with one century and three fifties, reflecting his consistent contributions to the team's batting line-up.
Najmul Hossain Shanto has been performing really well in the T20 International format. He has played 23 matches and scored 548 runs in total. His highest score in a single match is 71 runs against Zimbabwe, which is quite impressive. On average, he scores around 28.84 runs per match. Although he hasn't scored a century yet in this format, he has hit three half-centuries. This means he has played some really good innings and contributed a lot to his team's success.
Although Shanto started international cricket career in 2017, he became a regular member of Bangladesh cricket team in 2021. So, in just two years Shanto demonstrated his skills. With his tremendous performance he also proved that he has enough potential.
Read more: BCB Announces T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series
Shanto’s Most Recent Performance in BAN vs AFG Test 2023
Shanto played a fantastic cricket match for the Bangladesh team. He scored a century in both innings of the match. In the first innings, he made 146 runs, and in the second innings, he scored 124 runs. His brilliant performance practically ensured Bangladesh’s victory. Shanto became the second Bangladeshi player, after Mominul Haque, to score a century in both innings of a Test match.
Table: Shanto's score card in BAN vs AFG Test 2023
Innings
Runs
4s
6s
Strike Rate
1st
146
23
2
83.42
3rd
124
15
0
82.11
Read more: Pakistan fast bowler Afridi set to return to test cricket
Key Performers in BAN vs AFG Test 2023
Bangladesh achieved a huge victory against Afghanistan in the latest Test in Dhaka’s Mirpur. Chasing the difficult target of 662 runs given by the hosts, the visitors’ batting stopped at 115 runs. As a result, Bangladesh left the field with a victory of 546 runs. The victory in the Mirpur Test was Bangladesh’s biggest margin of victory against any team so far. And this is the third-biggest win in Test history. However, this is a pure example of teamwork, while some of the players have changed the momentum. Let’s see the key performers in Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test 2023.
Key Performers of Bangladesh Team in the Recent Test Against Afghanistan
The Tigers did really well in their Test match against the Afghans. They did a great job in both batting and bowling. Two openers, Zakir Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, have played well in batting; Najmul Hossain Shanto, Muminul Haque, Liton Das, and Mushfiqur Rahim have handled the responsibility of the middle order greatly. After bringing a big score with the bat, the Tigers performed their bowling duties with potency. The following are the key performers in the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Test.
Najmul Hossain Shanto
For the Bangladesh cricket team, Shanto scored hundreds in both innings of this match. He scored 146 and 124 runs, respectively, and practically ensured Bangladesh’s victory. After Mominul Haque, Shanto became the second Bangladeshi batsman to score a century in both innings of a Test match.
Read more: BCB Announces T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series
Shanto took 118 balls to reach his century in the first innings and 115 balls in the second innings. He hit 23 fours and 2 sixes to reach 146 runs in the first innings. Shanto hit 15 fours in the second innings. He started the third day with 54 runs. He added 212 runs with Mahmudul Hasan for the second wicket in the first innings. This time he added 171 runs with Zakir Hasan. Shanto won the Man of the Match award by scoring a century in two consecutive innings.
Ebadot Hossain
Ebadot Hossain picked up four of Afghanistan’s first eight wickets in the first innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul quickly picked up wickets and wrapped up Afghanistan before 150 runs. Even though Ebadot did not get 5 wickets, his success will be considered a big achievement. He got all four wickets in bouncers. He gave only 47 runs to get all those wickets.
In the press conference at the end of the second day’s play, the Tiger pacer said that bouncers and his intelligence worked well to pick the important wickets. He bowled 7 overs in the second innings and got one wicket.
Read more: BCB Announces Bangladesh ODI Squad for Afghanistan Series
Mominul Haque
The first innings did not go well for Mominul Haque. However, this left-hander made a great comeback in the second innings against Afghanistan. This cricketer from Cox’s Bazar has seen the magic figure of three digits in extraordinary batting.
The former captain hit a boundary in the 73rd over of the second innings to bring up the 12th century of his career in Test. He played 123 balls to score the century. He hit 12 fours. Mominul last scored a century against Sri Lanka in April 2021. After that, in the last two, he scored three fifties in 26 innings of 14 Tests. Earlier, Mominul scored only 15 runs in the first innings. He hit a four and six off 25 balls before falling victim to debutant pacer Nijat Masood.
Taskin Ahmed
Taskin did not get any wickets in the first innings, where he bowled only 7 overs and 48 runs. However, his excellent bowling in the second innings led Bangladesh to get the historic victory. Taskin was absent in the past few months due to injury. He returned from injury and took 4 wickets for 37 runs.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records
The Test ended before the midday break on the fourth day, and this credit goes to Taskin. He took one of Afghanistan’s 2 wickets on the third day. With 3 more wickets on Saturday, he stopped the Afghans for 115 runs.
Shoriful Islam
Shoriful took 5 wickets in total, comprising both innings. He bowled 8 overs in the first innings and got 2 wickets. He got two maiden overs and gave only 28 runs. Shoriful became more aggressive in the second innings and got 3 wickets. He bowled 10 overs and got one maiden over. He gave 28 runs in this innings too.
Key Performers of the Afghanistan Team against Bangladesh
None of the Afghan players except Nijat Masood played a big role in the Test match. Let’s see Nijat’s tremendous performance in detail.
Nijat Masood
Afghanistan’s only achievement in the match can be said to be the 5 wickets of debutant pacer Nijat Masood in the first innings. He also made a rare feat in cricket by dismissing Zakir Hasan with his first ball in his career. This left-handed pacer picked up 5 wickets in the debut match. Nijat Masood became the second Afghanistan cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut. He returned Zakir Hasan for 1 run.
Read more: England dismisses Australia to take 7-run lead in thrilling Ashes opener
Besides, he sent back Muminul Haque for 15 runs, Mushfiqur Rahim for 47 runs, Taijul Islam for 0 runs, and Shoriful Islam for 6 runs. Nijat balled 16 overs in the first inning and got two maiden overs. However, he could not shine in the second innings as he balled 12.5 overs and got no wickets.
Final Words
In the 2023 BAN vs AFG Test, Bangladesh wanted to show off their power and Tigers did a fantastic job and completely dominated the Afghans, achieving their biggest victory ever.
BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh clinches historic victory with record margin of 546 runs
The stage was set for Bangladesh to register their biggest-ever Test win by a huge margin of runs, and they did not make any mistake in seizing the opportunity against Afghanistan.
Heading into the fourth day of the Dhaka Test, only the second Test between these two South Asian rivals, the hosts needed eight wickets to secure victory, while Afghanistan faced the daunting task of scoring more than 600 runs in the remaining two days.
Afghanistan fell short, and Bangladesh won the match by a massive margin of 546 runs—a record-breaking victory in Test history since 1934 when Australia defeated England by 562 runs at The Oval. Hence, it stands as the largest victory by runs in the ongoing century.
Also Read: Bangladesh eye big win as Afghanistan face uphill battle
Afghanistan began the day with eight wickets in hand, but they lost all of them during the morning session.
Rahmat Shah was the top scorer for Afghanistan with 30 runs, while none of the other Afghan batters managed to reach the 20-run mark.
Taskin Ahmed claimed four wickets for Bangladesh, conceding 37 runs, while Shoriful Islam took three wickets.
Also Read: Shanto hits back-to-back tons as Bangladesh throw massive challenge to Afghanistan
The match concluded in a dramatic fashion as Taskin came close to dismissing Zahir Khan twice as the last wicket. However, TV replays indicated that in one instance when Zahir was given out by the umpire, the ball did not make contact with his bat before being caught by the wicketkeeper. In the second attempt, Taskin bowled a waist-high no-ball that disrupted Zahir's stumps. Eventually, Zahir retired hurt after being struck by a vicious low bouncer from Taskin.
In the first innings, Bangladesh posted a total of 382, fueled by a century from Najmul Hossain Shanto and a half-century from Mahmudul Hasan Joy.
In his debut, Nijat Masood took five wickets for Afghanistan, including a wicket off the first ball of his career, becoming the second Afghan bowler to achieve a five-for on Test debut.
Also Read: BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh Hold Firm as Lead Reaches 370
In response, Afghanistan was bowled out for 146, with Ebadot Hossain taking four wickets for Bangladesh on a pitch that favored the pacers. Consequently, Bangladesh secured a commanding 234-run lead in the first innings.
Shanto continued his strong performance in the second innings, scoring another century. He now joins Mominul Haque as the only second Bangladeshi batter to achieve a century in each innings of a Test match. Mominul himself also hit a ton.
Bangladesh declared their second innings at 425 for four, setting Afghanistan a monumental target of 661 runs.
Also Read: BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh hold firm as Afghanistan tumble for 146
Facing this uphill battle, the Afghan batters failed to approach their batting with the right mindset and lost two wickets in the final session of day three.
Shoriful Islam dismissed Ibrahim Zadran for a golden duck off the first ball of Afghanistan's second innings. In the following over, Taskin Ahmed claimed the wicket of Abdul Malik.
At the end of day three, the Afghanistan head coach had expressed that they would be attempting the impossible, which is exactly what transpired.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records
Afghanistan will return to Bangladesh in July to play a three-match ODI series and a two-match T20I series in Dhaka and Sylhet.
LPL Auction 2023: Tamim Iqbal among 24 Bangladeshi Cricketers Who Signed Up
The 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL) is the fourth season of LPL in Sri Lanka. The tournament will start on July 31 and end on August 22, 2023. Five teams will participate, and they will play their matches in three different international stadiums. The tournament is organized by Sri Lanka Cricket, the governing body of cricket in the island nation. Sri Lanka Cricket has announced that the auction for the LPL 2023 will happen on June 14, and 360 players have signed up to participate in the T20 tournament — 24 of them are Bangladeshi cricketers.
Bangladeshi Players Signed Up for Lanka Premier League 2023 Auction
All 360 registered cricketers have been divided into 51 groups. Twenty-four cricket players from Bangladesh have signed up for the auction of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Several Bangladeshi cricketers, including players from the national team and those who are not currently part of it, have registered for the LPL auction.
One of the star players, Litton Das, is in the third set of players. Taskin Ahmed is also on the list. Additionally, two retired batsmen from international T20 cricket, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal, have also registered. Tamim is in the first set, while Mushfiqur is in the third set. Some young players like Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, and Najmul Hossain Shanto have also put their names forward for the auction.
Read more: Litton Das as Captain: Test experience could mean advantage over Afghanistan
However, two popular players, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mustafizur Rahman, are not included in the list.
Several cricketers who have previously played for the national team, but are not currently part of it, have also entered their names for the auction. Some notable names include Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Mithun, Mahedi Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, and Mohammad Saifuddin.
List of the Bangladeshi Players in the LPL Auction
Tamim Iqbal, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mithun, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Afif Hossain, Taijul Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mahedi Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar, Yasir Ali, Shoriful Islam, Rubel Hossain.
Read more: 2023 Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan Test: Head-to-head records, Who is favorite?
Rules for the 2023 LPL Auction
Just like the IPL auction, players who want to participate in the auction for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will be divided into two groups: capped and uncapped players. Capped players are those who have already represented their national team in international matches. The base value for capped players in the auction will range from $10,000 to $50,000, increasing in $10,000 increments.
Players who haven’t represented their national teams yet will be divided into three different groups based on their experience.
Players who have played 50 or more First-Class matches can register themselves with a base value of $20,000.
Read more: BCB to introduce its own TV channel
Players who have played at least 25 First-Class matches or 18 matches in T20 franchise leagues like the LPL (Lanka Premier League) can register themselves with a base value of $10,000.
Players who don’t meet any of the above criteria can still register themselves with a base value of $5,000.
Each of the five teams in the tournament will have a squad of 20 to 24 players. Out of these players, six must be from other countries, not from Sri Lanka.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis
LPL 2023 Auction Bidding Process
After some players have already been chosen by teams, the remaining players will be put up for auction. Only two teams can bid on a player at a time, but if one team decides to stop bidding, then a third team can join the auction.
However, the auction process won’t be the same for all players. After the first 70 players have been auctioned, there will be a faster auction called the ‘accelerated’ auction. In this auction, each team can nominate 15 to 20 players to be auctioned, and these players can include those who were not sold in the previous rounds.
Final Words
In the past, players for the Lanka Premier League were chosen through a draft system. However, this time, the LPL will try something new by using an auction method similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL). It will be exciting to see how this change adds a new flavor to the tournament. And let’s see how many Bangladeshi players get picked.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis.
Litton Das as Captain: Test experience could mean advantage over Afghanistan
The test match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is set to begin on June 14, 2023, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. This one-off Test match promises to be an exciting encounter between two competitive sides, showcasing their skills and determination in the longest format of the game.
A significant highlight of this match is the appointment of Litton Das as the captain of the Bangladesh Test cricket squad. The free-scoring opening batsman and wicketkeeper will lead his country for the first time in Test cricket, which makes the match even more interesting. As both teams gear up for this thrilling face-off, cricket enthusiasts in Bangladesh eagerly await the on-field action and the strategic battles that will unfold.
Prospect of Litton Das as Captain of Bangladesh Test Squad
Litton is appointed captain because Shakib Al Hasan cannot play due to a finger injury. During his Test debut in 2015, Litton gave a bright message about the future of batting. He is going to lead Bangladesh in Tests after eight years of many ups and downs. Litton will be the 12th captain of the Bangladesh Test cricket team.
Read more: 2023 Bangladesh Vs Afghanistan Test: Head-to-head records, Who is favorite?
Even though he is stepping in temporarily, Litton feels confident because he has been doing a great job as a wicketkeeper for a while now. Last year, he scored 800 runs in Test matches, which is a big achievement. Only two other Bangladeshi players have reached that milestone in a single year.
Litton Das has been a vice captain under Shakib Al Hasan for the Bangladesh Test team for the last year. On top of that, Litton served as captain last December in the one day series. So, he has some experience leading the team. However, some fans are worried because Litton sometimes struggles to turn his good starts into big scores. After the great potential at the beginning of his career, it was not long before darkness fell.
After passing through the stormy tide, he turned around and paved his own way. And recent form is also in Litton’s favour. So, Litton Das has a good prospect as captain of the Test squad.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis
Does Test Experience Give Bangladesh Advantage over Afghanistan?
Bangladesh has a more extensive history and experience in playing Test cricket compared to Afghanistan. This experience can be an advantage for Bangladesh, as they have a better understanding of the strategies required to succeed in the longest format of the game.
Bangladesh made its Test debut in November 2000, while Afghanistan played its first Test match in June 2018. This means that Bangladesh has been playing Test cricket for nearly 18 years longer than Afghanistan. As of April 2023, Bangladesh has played 137 Test matches, while Afghanistan has played 6 Test matches.
Bangladesh’s Test record has shown steady improvement over the years, with notable victories against top cricketing nations. They have registered Test wins against teams like Australia, England, and New Zealand, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. On the other hand, Afghanistan’s Test experience is limited, and they are still finding their footing in the format.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis
In terms of individual player statistics, Bangladesh has several experienced Test cricketers with impressive records. Players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz have been involved in Bangladesh’s Test successes. These players bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team, which can be invaluable in a Test match scenario.
In contrast, Afghanistan’s Test team is relatively inexperienced, with most of their players having played only a handful of Test matches. While they have talented players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, their overall experience in Test cricket is limited compared to Bangladesh. However, both of them are absent from upcoming matches.
So, Bangladesh’s extensive Test experience, both as a team and in terms of individual player records, gives them an advantage over Afghanistan in the upcoming Test match on June 14, 2023.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records
Final Words
Litton Das is excited to step onto the field as Test captain for the Bangladesh team. However, he has done it before in the ODI format, so it will not be a big challenge for him. With a great mindset, Litton is determined to give his best and wants to play an excellent inning. On the whole, Bangladesh’s Test experience will definitely give them an advantage over Afghanistan in the BAN vs AFG Test match on June 14, 2023.
BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis
The upcoming Afghanistan tour of Bangladesh 2023 Series will feature a single Test match between the Bangladesh and Afghanistan cricket teams. The match is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, June 14, 2023, to Sunday, June 18, 2023. The venue for the match is the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, and it is set to start at 10:00 AM local time. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing the clash between BAN and AFG in this exciting Test match.
Afghanistan Test Squad Against Bangladesh
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Nijat Masood, Yamin Ahmadzai, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Izharullah Haq Naveed, Hamza Kotak, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Abdul Malik, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Ikram Alikhel, Afsar Zazai and Baheer Shah Mahboob.
Afghanistan Test Squad Analysis for BAn vs AFG Series 2023
Rashid Khan, the renowned leg-spinner, will be absent from the upcoming match. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury that prevented his participation in the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka. It appears that he is still recovering and not yet fully fit. Additionally, another notable player missing from the lineup is Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
In addition to Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, who did not participate in the third ODI against Sri Lanka, has been omitted from Afghanistan's squad due to a groin injury.
Read more: Shakib surprises team with visit to practice camp ahead of Afghanistan Test
Hashmatullah Shahidi has been appointed as the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team for the Test match. However, notable players such as Naveen Ul Haq and Mohammed Nabi have not been included in the squad. Additionally, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the wicketkeeper for KKR, and Naveen Ul Haq, the bowler from the Lucknow Super Giants, have also not been considered for selection.
In addition, Afghanistan has announced four players as standby for the upcoming test match. These players are Noor Ali, Zia Akbar, Azmat Omarzai, and Sayed Shirzad. They have been designated as reserves and will be ready to step in if needed during the match.
The 15-man squad of Afghanistan has been strengthened with the inclusion of fast bowling duo Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Nijat Masoud, along with the young leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naweed. These talented players have earned their spots in the squad and will contribute their skills to the team’s efforts.
Additionally, Karim Janat, who showcased a remarkable all-round performance in the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class Tournament, has received his maiden call-up to the national team. The team management has recognized his talent and potential, providing him with an opportunity to shine at the highest level.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records
Key Players of Afghanistan Squad in the 2023 BAN vs AFG Test
Rahmat Shah
Rahmat Shah has appeared in Afghanistan’s all 6 test matches. And in those matches, he has showcased commendable performance with impressive statistics. In his 12 innings across 6 matches, he has accumulated a total of 385 runs. His highest score of 102 demonstrates his ability to excel under pressure. With an average of 32.08, Rahmat has displayed consistency on the crease.
Notably, he has also registered a well-deserved century, further setting his batting prowess in the longest format of the game. Rahmat Shah’s contributions have been vital to Afghanistan’s Test team, making him a valuable asset on the field.
Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran, representing Afghanistan in Test cricket, has been truly outstanding. Over the course of four matches and eight innings, he has scored a total of 356 runs. His exceptional performance is highlighted by his highest score of 87, where he demonstrated his ability to dominate the opposing team’s bowling attack.
With an impressive average of 44.5, Ibrahim consistently showcases his strong batting presence whenever he takes to the pitch. His contributions with the bat have played a vital role in Afghanistan’s success in Test matches. Given Ibrahim Zadran’s talent and unwavering consistency, he is undeniably a crucial asset for the upcoming test match against Bangladesh.
Read more: Litton to Lead Bangladesh in Afghanistan Test
Amir Hamza Hotak
Hamza Hotak, a skilled left-arm spinner, earned his place in the Afghanistan Under-19 squad for the 2010 World Cup held in New Zealand. He has played only three test matches for his country. In his 3 matches and 6 innings, he has taken 16 wickets.
His best bowling innings of 6/75 demonstrate his ability to dismantle opposition batting line-ups. His skills as a bowler have contributed significantly to Afghanistan’s quick success in the Test format. Amir Hamza’s impressive performances make him a key player in Afghanistan’s bowling attack in Test matches.
Yamin Ahmadzai
Yamin has played 5 test matches so far. While his overall test bowling performance for Afghans is quite satisfactory, his performance against Bangladesh was poor. He only took one wicket in the 2019 test match against Bangladesh. Overall, he took 11 wickets in five appearances. So, he will surely try to improve his bowling figure and give his best against Bangladesh, which he failed in his previous appearance.
Final Words
This upcoming Test match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh marks their second encounter in the longest format of the game. The two teams previously faced each other in 2019 in a one-off Test match, where Afghanistan emerged triumphant. They secured an unambiguous victory with a massive margin of 224 runs, and Rashid Khan played a pivotal role by claiming 11 wickets in the match. So, in the 2023 BAN vs AFG test match, the Afghans will surely try to repeat their performance. On the other hand, the Bangladesh team has improved a lot, and they will certainly fight back.
Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Bangladesh Test Squad Analysis